IBA SUCCESS MAGAZINE Issue 5 Volume 5 | Page 9

INSPIRATION n EXPERTS LANE Home Sweet Home “If you live in Me and what I say lives in you, then ask for anything you want, and it will be yours” (John 15:7, NOG) By Sharlyne Thomas B elieve it or not, the term “hospitality” is found in the Bible! Why? Because it is a demonstration of the love that we should all share with one another. However, hospitality does not just apply to or refer to being a good host in our home; we should also endeavor to provide world-class customer service to all of our external and internal clients. But in order for us to have an outward show of hospitality, we should try to perfect it on the inside first. The scripture above talks about living in Christ and allowing His Word to live on the inside of you, which means that you need to prepare a place for Him to dwell. We are triune beings; meaning, we are a spirit, we have a soul, and we live in a body. Therefore, we should strive to be a spiritual house where the Lord can dwell (1 Peter 2:5); keep our mind, which is part of our soul, focused on the Lord (Isaiah 26:3); and remember that our body is the temple of the Holy Ghost (1 Corinthians 6:19). So how can we apply these biblical concepts in our everyday business and work life? For me, because I have yielded my vessel (my entire being) to serving the Lord, I am accountable to Him when dealing with my business clients and anyone involved with my nonprofit organization. What that means is that I must be hospitable—friendly, welcoming, pleasant— in everything that I do. I have to use manners and common courtesy as well as operate with honesty, trust, and integrity as unto the Lord and not as “menpleasers” (Ephesians 6:6). Titus 1:8 states that bishops, overseers, and elders in the church “should show hospitality, love what is good, and be reasonable, ethical, godly, and self-controlled” (CEB). Of course, we don’t need to have an authority position in a church in order to display these attributes, but it is certainly more doable when we allow the Lord to work this type of love both in and through us. I always appreciate good customer service when I patronize someone’s place of business, and it is easy to see which employees genuinely possess hospitable characteristics and which ones do not have a heart to serve the public or build mutually-beneficial relationships. In ancient biblical times, strangers (including angels who looked like regular men) were welcomed into people’s homes, provided a place to stay overnight, and given food and water for themselves as well as the animals that traveled with them. Unfortunately in this day and age, it is usually not safe enough for us to extend that type of offer to someone we do not know. As a matter of fact, we would probably walk away before they got close enough to even approach us with a certain plea or request. However, when we allow Christ to dwell on the inside of us and we are led by the Spirit of God according to Romans, Chapter 8, then we can learn how to “show hospitality to one another without complaining” (1 Peter 4:9, MEV)! Sharlyne Thomas Spirit of Excellence Writing & Editing Services, LLC 321.209.2309 [email protected] TakeUpThySword.com WRITING and EDITING SERVICES • Couldn’t you use some assistance with a book or website? • Shouldn’t you distribute accurate, quality documents? • Wouldn’t you like a professional resume or bio? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, CONTACT US TODAY for a personalized and reasonably-priced quote, FREE sample edit and convenient payment plan! Every WRITER needs an editor and every JOB-SEEKER needs an effective resume. • Standard editing fees: $200-$600 • Resumes are usually only $100 • Corporate pricing available 321. 209.2309 [email protected] • TakeUpThySword.com P.O. Box 608297 • Orlando, FL 32860 VOL 4, Issue 5 n IBASuccessMagazine.com 7